Africa (Commonwealth Union) _The annual Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial Lecture at Kingswood College in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, took on a solemn yet urgent tone as Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube addressed the nation’s collective outrage over the rape of a young girl known as Cwecwe. While acknowledging the deep anger, she urged the country to channel its emotions into concrete action against gender-based violence and child abuse.
“This gathering is not only to honor Uyinene’s memory but also to reflect on our responsibility to protect and empower women and children,” Gwarube emphasized. The event, named after Uyinene Mrwetyana, a University of Cape Town student tragically murdered in 2019, serves as a platform for public discourse on combating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), an issue that President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national crisis in 2021.
Gwarube’s impassioned plea underscored the government’s failure to protect victims, stating, “Uyinene was a wake-up call, reminding us of the alarming levels of violence against women and children. The government failed her, as it continues to fail many others.” She called for swift justice in Cwecwe’s case, stressing that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta echoed these sentiments, highlighting the systemic failures that enable such atrocities. “Ensuring the safety of our children is a non-negotiable duty. Justice for Cwecwe is justice for all vulnerable children,” he said.
The attack on Cwecwe allegedly occurred in October 2024 on the premises of Bergview College in Matatiele while she waited for transport. Yet, six months later, no arrests have been made. The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation has since demanded immediate action, denouncing the lack of urgency in the case. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” the foundation declared, urging authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade responded by revoking the school’s operating license and budget, citing gross negligence by the principal, who is now a suspect in the case. “He deliberately concealed the incident for over a month,” Gade revealed, warning that other victims might still be silent.
Parliament’s Select Committee on Education criticized the Eastern Cape Department of Education for its inadequate response, stating that deregistering the school does not equate to justice for the victim.
Meanwhile, eight-year-old influencer Sbahle Mzizi has used her platform to amplify calls for justice, urging South Africans to take action. “Schools must be safe spaces. We must ensure no child experiences what Cwecwe endured,” she stated.
The fight for justice continues, but the nation demands answers and action.
